The History of Gedong Songo Tample, relics of the kingdom of 'Mataram Kuno' Java

Gedong Songo Temple, located in the Bandungan region, Semarang.

This temple is a special temple because it has 9 temple complexes located in one area. This temple is very interesting to visit and is also listened to from various sides.

History of Gedong Songo Temple

Okay, it's time we start from the discovery of the Gedong Songo Temple. This area was discovered by the Governor-General of the Indies at that time, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who discovered it in 1740. However, when he discovered this temple there were only 7 of them.

Then in 1908 V. Stein Callenfels who conducted further research for more or less for 3 years until finally found 2 temple buildings. Then, in 1972 - 1982 the Dutch East Indies government conducted a restoration and continued by the Government of Indonesia.

Gedong Songo Temple comes from Javanese language. Gedong means building, and Songo which means Nine. So, the name Gedong Songo means building of nine in accordance with the number found.

Then, who first built and built this temple? The area on the slopes of Mount Ungaran with a height of 1200 meters above sea level is a relic of the Syailendra Dynasty in the 9th century. More precisely in 972 AD. This temple was more precisely built in the 7th century by the ancient Mataram King, Putera Sanjaya.

This temple was built as a destination of worship of the gods. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the temple complex there are several statues such as Shiva Mahakala, Shiva Mahaguru, Ganesha and some deity statues that can be enjoyed by Buddy Native.

In addition, the surrounding community believes that the Gedong Songo Temple area is still closely related to the story of the wayang between Hanoman and Dasamuka. In addition, there is also a mystery hidden behind the splendor of this temple which is about one of the places used as Queen Sima for meditation.

Residents also believe in the figure of a supernatural being named Mbah Murdo who is able to convey all intentions. However, you have to do austerities at the top of the temple area. Whether true or not, all of them are trusted and are always done by the citizens.

Semarang Tourist Destination part 1

Semarang tourist destination

Semarang is an interesting city to visit in Central Java, this historical city has a variety of interesting things. Tourist attractions from the latest to the smell of history.

1.    Lawang Sewu

Lawang sewu seems to be one of the landmarks of Semarang, this building is certainly very popular among travelers. The building that has many doors and is of historical value is certainly very interesting to visit. Although it seems haunted, because this building has existed since the Dutch era and used to function as a station. But it remains a separate attraction, especially now that it has gone through a renovation process so that the aura of awesomeness is reduced. Now, with the Semarang BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) making it easier to access these tourist attractions, even though visitors from the nearest bus stop (Blai Kota Semarang) are approximately 300 meters away, but of course now it is not a problem because the existence of online motorcycle taxi services makes it easier to make sure only. This legendary Semarang city tour is located in the Tugu Muda Complex, Jl. Youth, Semarang. Lawang Sewu is open every day from 07.00 - 21.00 WIB. The price of admission is also very affordable at Rp. 10,000 for adults and Rp. 5,000 for children.

2.    Sam Poo Kong

Sam Poo Kong Temple, this place is also famous as a temple of the past, where to commemorate the visit of Admiral Cheng Ho from China when he landed in Semarang in the 15th century AD. The temple is located on Jalan Simongan No. 129, Bongsari, Semarang City.

This place was a cave where Cheng Ho and his men took shelter. After Cheng Ho left the place to continue his voyage, some of his crew chose to settle down and marry local residents. In this temple complex there are also their graves, as well as reliefs that illustrate the history of their visit to Indonesia.

An annual festival is always held at Sam Poo Kong Temple, where statues are paraded along the road, starting from Jalan Lombok (Chinatown) to ending in the temple. The goal is to get blessings and prosperity throughout the year.

If you want to feel more Chinese-style atmosphere, visitors can rent traditional costumes to take pictures with the background of this red temple. For this package, the price is IDR 80,000 per person including photographer and photo printing with time from 9 am to 5 pm.

As for the price of admission alone is only Rp. 15,000 Prayer Area Rp. 20,000

Interesting right? Come on tour to Semarang.

3.   The old city of Semarang ( Kota Lama Semarang )

Lots of changes in the old city now. This area is a visual image of European architecture because there are so many ancient buildings with European architecture. Now, this area is very crowded with tourists. Arrangement carried out by the city government is also quite a lot. As one of the favorite places for photos, the most favorite areas for photographs here such as the Root House, Blenduk Church, Taman Srigunting, Marba Building, and also Semarang Creative Gallery on Letjen Suprapto street west of Blenduk Church. Now many cafes are appearing ready to welcome tourists after they are tired of going around with coffee or other menus.

For this region itself, of course it's free.

4.   Gedong Songo Temple

Gedong Songo Temple is a Hindu Temple complex in Semarang Regency, precisely in Bandungan sub-district on the slopes of Mount Ungaran. The temple, which was discovered again by Raffles in 1904, is a relic of Hindu culture from the Syailendra dynasty in the 10th century AD (927 AD). the air is quite cool here around 19-27 degrees Celsius because it is located in the mountain region and at an altitude of 1,200 m above sea level. It has a beautiful view and there is also a hot spring tourist attraction, here you can also rent horses, the camping area.

For entrance tickets to the Gedong Songo Temple, it is quite cheap for local tourists, which is Rp.8,000, and for Foreigners, Rp.75,000. For other tariffs namely riding a local tourist horse Rp.25,000, - & Rp.35,000, - for Foreigners per person. Hot water package Rp.60,000, - for local tourists and Rp.70,000, - for Overseas tourists. You don't need to be a Caucasian person, it's more expensive.

The History of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is one of the largest temples in Indonesia. Borobudur Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java province. Borobudur Temple is located approximately 40 km to the northwest of the city of Jogja. By public transportation, cars and motorbikes only need about 1 hour drive from the city of Yogyakarta.

Borobudur Temple was built during the Mahayana Buddhism discusses around 750-800 AD. Borobudur Temple was included in 7 magical world, besides being the largest, Borobudur Temple became a Buddhist Temple that rose because it was long before the Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia which was still newly built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II.

History says that the Borobudur Temple was built during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty. As for its origin, the Borobudur Temple is still filled with mystery and causes many questions about who its original founder was.

Location Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is located in the city of Magelang, Central Java. Borobudur temple's specific address is at Badrawati Street, Borobudur, Magelang City, Central Java. Borobudur Temple location itself is in the middle and very strategic.

Borobudur Temple is about 100 km from the city of Semarang, 86 km from Surakarta and 40 km from DI. Yogyakarta.

The History of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple has a long historical record. Borobudur Temple was built during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty precisely when there were many followers of Mahayana Buddhism.

The name of the Borobudur Temple itself comes from the words bara and budur. In terms of it, coal has a complex meaning of the monastery and the word budur has the upper meaning. Then, when combined into the word barabudur, it is read borobudur, which means the above monastery complex.

As the name implies, Borobudur Temple is located right on a hill as a truly magnificent monastery complex.

No one knows who definitely built the Borobudur Temple. There is no written evidence or other evidence that explains the exact history of this largest Buddhist temple. After its discovery, the researchers only estimated that the Borobudur Temple was built between the years 750-800 AD.

Estimated time of this construction was also based on a comparison between the types of characters written on the closed leg of Karmawibhangga Borobudur Temple with the type of script generally used in royal inscriptions in the 8th and 9th centuries AD. Syailendra in Central Java, which coincided between 760 to 830 AD.

Choosing a location above the high hills, the Borobudur Temple monastery complex went through a process of construction which took from 75 to 100 years. Borobudur Temple was estimated to have only been completely 100 percent completed during the reign of King Samaratungga in 825.

The founder of Borobudur Temple

Who built the Borobudur Temple at that time? Even historical records are not able to provide evidence and estimates of who must have been the original founder of Borobudur Temple. Historical records only mention that the Borobudur Temple was built during the heyday of the Syailendra dynasty.

Although it is known as Candhi Buddha but actually there was a lack of clarity about the Borobudur Temple which relics were relics, whether relics of Buddhism or Hinduism at that time.

In history, it is known that the people during the Syailendra dynasty were adherents of Buddhism to the schools of thought or a devout Mahayana sect. Nevertheless, the findings based on the inscriptions of Sojomerto indicate that initially they might be Hindus Shiva.

In Java, at that time, there were a lot of construction of various Hindu temples in the Kedu plain. Some examples, for example, such as the Shiwalingga holy temple which is located nearby or in the vicinity of Borobudur Temple. Even so, in general, it was agreed that Borobudur Temple would be a relic of the Buddhist kingdom.

Although history also mentions that the Borobudur Temple itself was built in a period of almost the same time as the construction of the temples in the Prambanan Plain, even though the Borobudur Temple was completed first around the year 825 AD.

Borobudur Temple was originally a building design in the form of a single large stupa that crowned its peak. However, due to the consideration that the stupa would be too big and heavy, which would pose a dangerous risk if it was placed on top, then the stupa was dismantled and replaced with three rows of small size stupa and one main stupa as it is today.

Magnificent Borobudur Temple building itself is divided into 10 levels in the form of punden terraces. The philosophy contained in the 10 levels of the Borobudur Temple building is to symbolize the stages and processes of human life.

Borobudur Temple building has six square-shaped terraces on top of which have or have a circular court. On the walls of the temple is also decorated with approximately 2,672 relief panels and there are 504 Buddha statues. Borobudur's main stupa, which is the largest, is located in the center and serves as the crown at the top of this building.

The peak stupa was surrounded by three rows of 72 perforated stupas with Buddhist statues sitting cross-legged in the middle of a perfect lotus flower with a mudra (hand gesture) dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma).

Borobudur Temple is buried in a layer of soil and volcanic ash due to volcanic eruptions which then over time the land is overgrown with trees and shrubs so that people do not know that the hills around their environment are graves of giant temples. Because at that time Borobudur Temple really resembled a hill in general.

It is not known why Borobudur was abandoned and abandoned and not treated. According to history, one possible reason why the Borobudur Temple was abandoned was the transfer of the capital of the Medang kingdom by Raja Mpu Sindok in 928 to 1006 AD to the East Java region due to disasters caused by volcanic eruptions. However, this statement is also not certain because there is no evidence to corroborate.

Borobudur Temple was later rediscovered, precisely in 1814 AD, by the British government in Java led by Thomas Stamford Raffles who indeed had an interest in Javanese history and culture. Raffles was considered very meritorious for the rediscovery of the Borobudur Temple and began to attract the attention of the world in the bag of the existence of this lost monument.

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